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NHL Picks

Daily NHL Picks: Top 3 Bets For An Action Packed Sunday Night

The unbelievable snow totals in the East forced one cancellation yesterday and another today, curtailing our NHL odds choices to four today. No problem, we will find a way to make it work.

We certainly did yesterday with a 3-0 sweep of NHL picks, giving up 10 winning days out of the last 12, highlighted by a very nice underdog winner with Colorado. In surveying the NHL odds for today, we opted out of the Calgary at Carolina clash and are utilizing our other three options, with the best bet first.

Chicago Returns to Winning Ways on Home Ice
You knew the streak would end eventually and hockey bettors wondered how Chicago (32-19 SU) would react when it did. Our intuition was correct in both instances. The Blackhawks ran into smokin' hot Tampa Bay club on the road and fell 2-1 and were completely flat the next night at Florida, who was in desperate need of a victory and were shutout 4-0.

Chicago is back home where they are 20-6 on the season to face St. Louis (28-23 SU) and seeking offensive resurgence. During their 12-game winning streak, the Blackhawks averaged 3.9 goals a game and they will look to avoid what the Panthers just did, having a long winning stretch then giving four games right back. Coach Joel Quenneville's squad has lost three in a row just once this season and he is curious to see how his team will perform. "Let's see us get re-energized and refocused," Quenneville said. "(Sunday) will be a good test and a good matchup."

The Hawks are -160 favorites against a Blues team which has won four of six and has picked up a point in five consecutive road games. Nevertheless, with Chicago at home and sporting 9-0 home record after two consecutive non-conference games, I will play them.

San Jose Creeps Closer to Los Angeles
San Jose (25-21 SU) is starting to look like the team most hockey experts envisioned. Having won seven of eight, the Sharks have bolted from sixth in the Pacific Division to second place. They can cut into eight-point deficit at home versus Los Angeles (29-18 SU) tonight.

The Kings play has been lethargic since Jan. 4th at 4-5, that includes back to back setbacks to Minnesota and Arizona, the latter which happened last night. Los Angeles is third in goals allowed at 2.23, but they have lost their defensive edge a little of late in permitting 15 goals in five outings.

After a horrendous home start (5-12), San Jose is 4-0-1 at the SAP Center and are +105 underdogs to L.A. The Kings are 14-9 on the road this campaign, yet are 5-12 away from home off a loss to a division rival. The visitor has won all three battles this season, but that ends tonight with the hotter team prevailing.

New York Extends Winning Feeling
The Rangers (26-21 SU) are probably happy to be out of New York because of the weather, however, when they will fly home after this afternoon affair with Ottawa (22-26 SU) is another matter. The Blueshirts are trying to assemble first three-game winning streak in over two months, when they constructed nine straight wins from Oct. 25th to Nov. 15th. Since that time New York is 12-17 SU, but might finally be turning situation into a positive with 3-1 mark in past four efforts.

The Senators will attempt to impede the Rangers, yet not sure that will occur as they have lost last two and four of six. Massive defensive breakdowns and terrible goaltending has caused Ottawa to give up 4.6 GAA in those half dozen contests and with New York's offense picking up in past eight games (3.0 GAA), could be problematic for the home team.

The Rangers have won the last four at Canadien Tire Centre and take it to five in mid-afternoon action.